Highlanders Deny Brumbies To Reach Super Semis
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published July 22, 2016 | 04:30 PM
CANBERRA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd july,2016) : Defending champions Otago Highlanders survived a tense finish to eliminate the ACT Brumbies 15-9 and qualify for the Super Rugby semi-finals in Canberra on Friday. The New Zealanders defended grimly in the final stages as the Australian conference champions went after a converted try that would have given them victory on a wet wintry night in the national capital. Otago scored two tries to nil with fly-half Lima Sopoaga landing a conversion and a penalty to steer his team into next week's semi-finals. The Highlanders, who have played in South Africa, Argentina and Australia this month to keep their title bid alive, were the better side for the most part to win their first game in Canberra for 10 years. Winger Waisake Naholo and number eight Liam Squire scored tries in either half with the Brumbies keeping within reach but unable to get the clinching try in a desperate finish. The Brumbies thought they had scored the clinching try by replacement Lausii Taliauli five minutes from time but the video referee could not adjudicate on a clear grounding of the ball. The Highlanders' win continued a dominant Super Rugby season for New Zealand teams over their Australian opposition, winning 22 of their 26 encounters. "We dug in over the last 15 minutes and showed good character," Otago skipper Shane Christie said. "It was always going to be difficult coming over here but we're stoked and we're in the semi-finals now and we look forward to the week ahead.
" It was a despondent Brumbies camp, bowing out of the finals race and saying goodbye to three of their star Wallabies, skipper Stephen Moore, Matt Toomua and David Pocock, who will all be heading elsewhere next season. "It's difficult not to comment on some of those refereeing decisions," Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said. "For mine Lausii scored a try near the end and we had a dominant scrum all night and the ball has come out sideways in the final minutes and I cannot see how there is no penalty for that. "It's really devastating because it's tough conditions tonight and we were behind on the scoreboard but we found a way back into the game and we did everything right to win it." The Brumbies had early possession and led 6-3 after a couple of penalties from Christian Lealiifano before the Highlanders struck three minutes before halftime. The home side lost their fourth lineout on their own throw and Otago swept into the Brumbies quarter. After a couple of rucks the Highlanders spread the ball out to the right for winger Naholo to score in the corner. Sopoaga kicked a magnificent conversion in the swirling wind for the Highlanders to lead 10-6 at halftime. Lealiifano kicked the Brumbies to within one point early in the second half but the Highlanders scored their second try after an intercept from Sopoaga. Centre Matt Faddes was tackled and from the next phase Squire scored to give Otago a six-point advantage which they protected to full-time.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Azad Jammu Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq condoles over the demise ..
Senior Army Commanders visit families of customs' martyrs to condole
Poland-Pakistan corporation established on solid foundations: Polish envoy
Chairman Senate passes ruling to constitute Special Committee of Upper House
Stocks fall as tech shares sink, US economy slows
Honda announces US$11 bn EV battery and vehicle plant in Canada
All AJK Inter-varsity Speech Competition urges UNO to ensure early grant of righ ..
AJK CEC calls on President Sultan Chaudhry
Assistant Secretary General of UNDP, Director of Regional Bureau for Asia & Paci ..
Portugal marks 50 years of democracy with far right on the rise
IHC suspends notification regarding cut in prices of 'naan & roti'
More Stories From World
-
Honda announces US$11 bn EV battery and vehicle plant in Canada
19 minutes ago -
Portugal marks 50 years of democracy with far right on the rise
17 minutes ago -
Oman, UAE deluge 'most likely' linked to climate change: scientists
59 minutes ago -
BHP launches $38.8 billion takeover bid for rival Anglo American
1 hour ago -
Saudi oil giant Aramco agrees major FIFA sponsorship deal
1 hour ago -
Putin says plans to visit China in May
1 hour ago
-
Haiti transitional council sworn in after months of violence
2 hours ago -
Ukrainian village battles mines year after Russia forced out
2 hours ago -
China's Shenzhou-18 mission takes off bound for space station
2 hours ago -
Thousands of flights scrapped as French air traffic controllers strike
2 hours ago -
India's IndiGo to buy 30 A350 planes: Airbus
2 hours ago -
Scottish leader scraps coalition deal with Greens
2 hours ago